DOVER, Delaware – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball program wrapped up its regular season on Friday (November 11) at Delaware State University. In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference match, the Hawks (8-17, 6-8 MEAC) fell to the Hornets (21-6, 11-3 MEAC) in three sets, falling 15-25, 18-25 and 19-25.
"We showed great resolve today," head coach
Trevor Callarman said. "I think we got better as the match went on. First set we got knocked on our heels a little bit but we fought, second set was better and the third set was our best one and that came down to a couple of points that just didn't go our way."
It was a slow start for the Hawks in the first set, letting the Hornets grab the first three points and then never giving up the lead. Del State stretched the lead by as far as 11 points until the Hawks were able to cut in slightly towards the end of the set until giving up the final point.
The Hawks fell victim to early runs by the Hornets in the second set, although they were able to mount a strong push late with a four-point run themselves to get it as close as 22-17. Playing better team offense than in the first set – the Hawks had more kills than the Hornets,
Charlize Williams leading the way with six – only to be hurt by their eight attack errors.
"We hit our kill mark, we matched them on offense in the second and third set, we just gotta make sure we're serving better to slow them down," Callarman said. "They're a really good passing team, they got their middles going and when we got ours going there was a good back and forth."
Down two sets, the Hawks gave a full effort in the third set, locking up the score six times and having the match within two points as late as 16-14. Delaware State even got a scare from the Hawks on set point, grabbing two late points out of a timeout before the match was closed out by the Hornets.
Williams led the team with nine kills at a .389 hitting rate and added a team high three block assists,
Derionah Abner was right behind with eight kills and one block assist.
Sophia Chacon had 16 assists and
Romina Vacca chipped in 12 off the bench.
Valeria Matias led the team with 12 digs and
Isil Yilmaz had 11.
It's all eyes on the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament now for the Hawks, earning the fifth seed and will be paired up with the fourth seed, Norfolk State. The two teams met twice this season, with the Spartans taking both matches in five sets.
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.
